Settlement system, server device, terminal device, method and program

ABSTRACT

A terminal device includes selection means for comparing a payment amount with a set amount read from a recording medium and for selecting between off-line processing and on-line processing, depending on a result of the comparison, off-line processing means for performing a process of subtracting the payment amount from the set amount recorded in the recording medium and a process of sending the payment amount to a server device; and on-line processing means for performing a process of sending the payment amount to the server device and a process of updating the set amount when having received an update value. A server device includes server processing means for performing a process of receiving the payment amount from a terminal device and a process of subtracting the payment amount from a balance of an account corresponding to the recording medium, and for performing, in a case of the on-line processing, a process of sending the update value to the terminal device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a settlement system, a server device, aterminal device, a method and a program, in particular to those whichperform on-line settlement and off-line settlement by switching betweenthem.

BACKGROUND

Patent Literature 1 discloses an authentication processing device whichswitches between off-line authentication and on-line authentication, incredit-card settlement, by comparing a settlement money amount with areference settlement money amount.

Patent Literature 2 discloses an electronic settlement system whichseparates a balance of a bank account into that for on-line settlementand that for off-line settlement, and then stores the balance foron-line settlement into the normal area of an account file of the bank,and the balance for off-line settlement into an IC (Integrated Circuit)card. This system guarantees a money amount that can be used off-line.The money amount is set and updated by the customer himself/herself bythe use of a terminal device.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

[Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2005-301945

[Patent Literature 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Number61-32177

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In the device of Patent Literature 1, the reference settlement moneyamount is set to be the same value for every payer, and it accordinglyis impossible to make determination reflecting a risk for individualpayer. As a result, there may arises a case where off-lineauthentication is given to a payer who is given a low credit rating anda seller resultantly bears risk involved in collecting an excessiveamount of payment.

As the technology of Patent Literature 2 separates the balance of a bankaccount into that for on-line settlement and that for off-linesettlement, there arises a customer's inconvenience of not being able touse the whole amount of the balance of the customer's bank account evenin on-line settlement. Because of possible occurrence of suchinconvenience, the separation of a balance needs to be performed by thecustomer, and if it is impossible to ask the customer to perform suchoperation, the technology cannot be used. This technology cannot beused, for example, in a system such as of performing a settlement with apredetermined condition off-line on the basis of determination by thesystem side, for the purpose of speeding up the processing.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a technology forsolving the above-described problem,

Solution to Problem

A settlement system according to one exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention comprises: a terminal device including selection means forcomparing a payment amount with a set amount read from a recordingmedium and for selecting between off-line processing and on-lineprocessing, depending on a result of the comparison; off-line processingmeans for performing a process of subtracting the payment amount fromthe set amount recorded in the recording medium and a process of sendingthe payment amount to a server device; and on-line processing means forperforming a process of sending the payment amount to the server deviceand a process of updating the set amount when having received an updatevalue;

and a server device comprising server processing means for performing aprocess of receiving the payment amount from the terminal device and aprocess of subtracting the payment amount from a balance of an accountcorresponding to the recording medium, and for performing, in a case ofthe on-line processing, a process of sending the update value to theterminal device.

A server device according to one exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention connected to a terminal device: the terminal deviceperforming: a process of comparing a payment amount with a set amountread from a recording medium; and, depending on a result of thecomparison, off-line processing including a process of subtracting thepayment amount from the set amount recorded in the recording medium anda process of sending the payment amount to the server device, or on-lineprocessing comprising a process of sending the payment amount to theserver device and a process of updating the set amount when havingreceived an update value;

and the server device comprises server processing means for performing aprocess of receiving the payment amount from the terminal device and aprocess of subtracting the payment amount from the balance of an accountcorresponding to the recording medium, and in a case of the on-lineprocessing, performing a process of sending the update value to theterminal device

A terminal device according to one exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention comprises: selection means for comparing a payment in amountwith a set amount read from a recording medium and for selecting betweenoff-line processing and on-line processing, depending on a result of thecomparison;

off-line processing means for performing a process of subtracting thepayment amount from the set amount recorded in the recording medium anda process of sending the payment amount to a server device; and on-lineprocessing means for performing a process of sending the payment amountto the server device and a process of updating the set amount whenhaving received an update value,

wherein the terminal device connected to a server device which performsa process of receiving the payment amount and a process of subtractingthe payment amount from a balance of an account corresponding to therecording medium, and in a case of the on-line processing, performs aprocess of sending the update value.

A method according to one exemplary embodiment of the present inventioncomprises: performing a process of comparing a payment amount with a setamount read from a recording medium; performing, depending on a resultof the comparison, an off-line processing including a process ofsubtracting the payment amount from the set amount recorded in therecording medium and a process of sending the payment amount, or anon-line processing including a process of sending the payment amount anda process of updating the set amount when having received an updatevalue; and

performing a process of receiving the payment amount, a process ofsubtracting the payment amount from a balance of an accountcorresponding to the recording medium and, in a case of the on-lineprocessing, a process of sending the update value,

A method according to one exemplary embodiment of the present inventioncomprising: connecting to a terminal device which performs: a process ofcomparing a payment amount with a set amount read from a recordingmedium; and, depending on a result of the comparison, an off-lineprocessing including a process of subtracting the payment amount is fromthe set amount recorded in the recording medium and a process of sendingthe payment amount to a server device, or an on-line processingincluding a process of sending the payment amount to the server deviceand a process of updating the set amount when having received an updatevalue; and

performing a process of receiving the payment amount from the terminaldevice, a process of subtracting the payment amount from the balance ofan account corresponding to the recording medium and, in a case of theon-line processing, a process of sending the update value to theterminal device.

A method according to one exemplary embodiment of the present inventioncomprises connecting to a server device which performs a process ofreceiving a payment amount, a process of subtracting the payment amountfrom a balance of an account corresponding to a recording medium and, ina case of the on-line processing, a process of sending an update valueperforming a process of comparing the payment amount with a set amountread from the recording medium; and performing, depending on a result ofthe comparison, off-line processing including a process of subtractingthe payment amount from the set amount recorded in the recording mediumand a process of sending the payment amount to a server device, oron-line processing including a process of sending the payment amount tothe server device and a process of updating the set amount when havingreceived an update value.

A program according to one exemplary embodiment of the present inventionwhich causes a computer connected to a terminal device, the terminaldevice performing a process of comparing a payment amount with a setamount read from a recording medium; and, depending on a result of thecomparison, an off-line processing including a process of subtractingthe payment amount from the set amount recorded in the recording mediumand a process of sending the payment amount to a server device or anon-line processing including a process of sending the payment amount tothe server device and a process of updating the set amount when havingreceived an update value,

to perform a process of receiving the payment amount from the terminaldevice, a process of subtracting the payment amount from the balance ofan account corresponding to the recording medium and, in a case of theon-line processing, a process of sending the update value to theterminal device.

A program according to one exemplary embodiment of the present inventionwhich causes a computer connected to a server device, the server deviceperforming a process of receiving a payment amount, a process ofsubtracting the payment amount from a balance of an accountcorresponding to a recording medium and, in a case of on-lineprocessing, a process of sending an update value,

to perform a selection process of comparing the payment amount with aset amount read from the recording medium and, depending on a result ofthe comparison, selecting between off-line processing and the on-lineprocessing, the off-line processing including a process of subtractingthe payment amount from the set amount recorded in the recording mediumand a process of sending the payment amount to the server device; andthe on-line processing including a process of sending the payment amountto the server device and a process of updating the set amount whenhaving received the update value.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The present invention enables a settlement system employing electronicmoney or the like to perform on-line settlement and off-line settlementby switching between them, while reducing risk to the business side andnot causing a user making payment to be aware of the switching.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a settlement system 4 according toa first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows information stored in an account storage unit 22.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of operation of a selection unit 11.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of operation of a first settlement unit 12.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of operation of a second settlement unit 13.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of operation of a server processing unit 21.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of operation of a money reception unit 23,

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a settlement system 4 according toa second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a server device 2 according to athird exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a terminal device 1 according to afourth exemplary embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS First Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a settlement system 4 according tothe present exemplary embodiment. The settlement system 4 includes aterminal device 1, an ATM (Automated teller machine) 42 and a serverdevice 2, which are connected with each other via a network 41. Thereusually exist a plurality of terminal devices 1 and ATMs 42.

The terminal device 1 is installed, for example, at a payment counter ina store. The ATM 42 and the server device 2 are installed, for example,in a bank. The settlement system 4 performs either of off-linesettlement and on-line settlement, depending on the amount of payment bya user.

In off-line settlement, the user makes payment with electronic money orthe like stored in an IC card 3 the user carries. In the off-linesettlement, the user does not need to wait for completion ofcommunication between the terminal device 1 and the server device 2. Inon-line settlement, the user makes payment out of the user's bankaccount stored in the server device 2. In the on-line settlement, theuser needs to wait for completion of communication between the terminaldevice 1 or the server device 2.

The terminal device 1 is equipped a selection unit 11, a firstsettlement unit 12 (may be referred to also as an off-line processingunit 12), a second settlement unit 13 (may be referred to also as anon-line processing unit 13) and a history storage unit 14. A keyboard 15and a reader/writer 16 are connected to the selection unit 11.

The selection unit 11 determines which between the off-line settlementand the on-line settlement is to be performed, depending on a paymentamount inputted from the keyboard 15 or the like. The first settlementunit 12 performs off-line processing which is processing on the side ofthe terminal device 1 relevant to the off-line settlement, and thesecond settlement unit 13 performs on-line processing which isprocessing on the side of the terminal device 1 relevant to the on-linesettlement. The history storage unit 14 stores a history of paymentamounts of the off-line settlement. The history is, for example, one inwhich payment amounts subjected to the off-line settlement are recordedin a temporally sequential manner with respect to each user. Forexample, the first settlement unit 12 periodically sends the history tothe server device 2.

The reader/writer 16 reads and writes data stored in the IC card 3. TheIC card 3 is equipped an ID storage unit 31 which stores a card ID(IDentification) or a user ID (henceforth, simply referred to as an ID),a limit amount storage unit 32 which stores a limit amount for theoff-line settlement (may be referred to also as a set amount) and a dateand time storage unit 33 which stores the date and time of a lastperformed on-line settlement (henceforth, referred to as the last dateand time).

Here, the selection unit 11, the first settlement unit 12 and the secondsettlement unit 13 are constructed using logic circuits or the like.They may also be implemented by software which is stored in a memory(not illustrated) of the terminal device 1 and executed by a processor(not illustrated) of the terminal device 1. The history storage unit 14is a storage device such as an IC memory and a disk device.

The server device 2 is equipped a server processing unit 21, an accountstorage unit 22, a money reception unit 23 and an average calculationunit 24. The server processing unit 21 performs the off-line settlementand the on-line settlement in collaboration with the first settlementunit 12 and the second settlement unit 13, respectively, of the terminaldevice 1. The account storage unit 22 stores information on such asusers' bank accounts. The money reception unit 23 adds the amount ofcash put into the ATM 42 to a balance 52 of the user's bank account. Theaverage calculation unit 24 calculates an average of payment amounts,with respect to each user, from the history of payment amountsperiodically sent from the terminal device 1.

Here, the server processing unit 21, the money reception unit 23 and theaverage calculation unit 24 are constructed using logic circuits or thelike. They may also be implemented by software which is stored in amemory (not illustrated) of the terminal device 1 and executed by aprocessor (not illustrated) of the terminal device 1. The accountstorage unit 22 is a storage device such as an 1C memory and a diskdevice.

The ATM 42 is connected to the reader/writer 43 and to a cash readingunit 44. The reader/writer 43 reads and writes data stored in the ICcard 3. The cash reading unit 44 reads the money amount of currency putinto the ATM 42.

FIG. 2 shows information stored in the account storage unit 22. Theaccount storage unit 22 stores an account ID 51, the balance 52 and apayment average 53, with respect to each of users' bank accounts. Theaccount ID 51 is of the same value as that of the ID stored in the IDstorage unit 31 of the IC card 3 issued to a user of the correspondingaccount. The payment average 53 is an average value of payment amountsof the user of the account.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of operation of the selection unit 11. Theselection unit 11 starts the operation when, for example, a personoperating terminal device 1 has inputted a payment amount to thekeyboard 15. The selection unit 11 may start the operation in responseto detection of the IC card 3 by the reader/writer 16.

The selection unit 11 reads the payment amount from the keyboard 15(S10), and also reads an ID, a limit amount and a last date and timefrom the IC card 3 (S11). The selection unit 11 reads the ID, the limitamount and the last date and time from, respectively, the ID storageunit 31, the limit amount storage unit 32 and the date and time storageunit 33.

If the payment amount is larger than the limit amount (Y at S12) or apredetermined time period has passed since the last date and time (Y atS13), the selection unit 11 stores the current time into the date andtime storage unit 33 of the IC card 3 (S16) and subsequently selects theon-line settlement (S17). For example, the selection unit 11 causes thesecond settlement unit 13 to start up. Here, the predetermined timeperiod is given in advance to the selection unit 11 by an administratoror the like of the terminal device 1.

In another case (N at both S12 and S13), the selection unit 11 selectsthe off-line settlement (S15). For example, the selection unit 11 causesthe first settlement unit 12 to start up.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of operation of the first settlement unit 12.This is a process flow of the off-line processing.

The first settlement unit 12 calculates a value obtained by subtractingthe payment amount from the limit amount and stores the calculated valueinto the limit amount storage unit 32 of the IC card 3 (S20). At thismoment, determining that the payment operation has been completed forthe user, the first settlement unit 12 may permit the user to leavetaking the IC card 3.

After that, the first settlement unit 12 adds the ID and the paymentamount into the history storage unit 14 (S21) and sends the paymentamount and the ID to the server device 2 (S22). The first settlementunit 12 does not necessarily need to wait for a response from the serverdevice 2.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of operation of the second settlement unit 13.This is a process flow of the on-line processing.

First, the second settlement unit 13 sends, to the server device 2, thepayment amount inputted from the keyboard 15 and the ID and the limitamount read from the IC card 3 (S31), and then waits for a reply fromthe server device 2 (S32). When a reply is received from the serverdevice 2 and if the reply shows normal termination of the process (Y atS33) and also includes an update value of limit amount (may be referredto also simply as an update value) (Y at S34), the second settlementunit 13 stores thus received update value of limit amount into the limitamount storage unit 32 of the IC card 3 (S35). If no update value oflimit amount is included (N at S34), the second settlement unit 13performs no update on the limit amount storage unit 32 of the IC card 3.

If receiving from the server device 2 a reply showing abnormaltermination of the process (N at S33), the second settlement unit 13performs a process for dealing with a cause of the abnormality. Thecause of abnormality is, for example, lack of the balance 52 or thelike.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of operation of the server processing unit 21.The server processing unit 21 starts the process on receiving data on apayment amount, an ID and the like from the first settlement unit 12 orthe second settlement unit 13, of the terminal device 1.

First, the server processing unit 21 reads the balance 52 with regard tothe account ID 51 coincident with the received ID, from the accountstorage unit 22 (S40). If confirming that the balance 52 is equal to orlarger than the payment amount (Y at S41), the server processing unit 21subtracts the payment amount from the balance 52 (S42). That is, theserver processing unit 21 calculates a value obtained by subtracting thepayment amount from the balance 52 and stores the calculated value intothe storage unit 22 as the balance 52 with regard to the account ID 51,which is coincident with the received ID.

If the process has been being performed in the off-line settlement (Y atS43), the server processing unit 21 ends the process. Here, it isassumed that the server processing unit 21 has received information onwhich between the off-line settlement and the on-line settlement is tobe performed, for example, along with the payment amount or the like,from the first settlement unit 12 or the second settlement unit 13.

If the process has been being performed in the on-line settlement (N atS43), the server processing unit 21 compares the limit amount receivedfrom the second settlement unit 13 with an update threshold value (S44).If the limit amount is larger than the update threshold value (Y atS44), the server processing unit 21 creates reply data showing a normalreport and including no update value of limit amount and sends it to theterminal device 1 (S48). Here, when the limit amount is larger than thebalance 52 after subtracting the payment amount from it, the serverprocessing unit 21 may create reply data including the balance 52 afterthe subtraction as an update value of limit amount and send it to theterminal device 1.

The update threshold value is, for example, the payment amount average53 stored in the account storage unit 22. The server processing unit 21reads from the account storage unit 22 the payment amount average 53with regard to the account ID 51 coincident with the received ID andthen uses it as the update threshold value. The update threshold valuemay also be a fixed value given in advance to the server processing unit21.

If the limit amount is equal to or smaller than the update thresholdvalue (N at S44), the server processing unit 21 calculates a maximumlimit amount by multiplying the update threshold value by apredetermined value (S45).

Then, the server processing unit 21 compares the maximum limit amountwith the balance 52 calculated in S42 and sets the smaller one as anupdate value of limit amount (S46), creates reply data showing a normalreport and including the update value of limit amount, and sends it tothe terminal device 1 (S47).

If the balance 52 is smaller than the payment amount (N at S41), theserver processing unit 21 performs a process for dealing with theinsufficient balance. This process may be a process of sending, to theterminal device 1, reply data showing an abnormal report expressingsettlement impossibility, and may also be a process of loaning thedeficit amount.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of operation of the money reception unit 23. Themoney reception unit 23 starts the process when a user has depositedcurrency to the bank or the like through the ATM 42.

Specifically, the money reception unit 23 is caused to start up asfollows. First, for example, the user holds the IC card 3 over thereader/writer 43 and put currency into the cash reading unit 44. Thereader/writer 43 reads an ID from the IC card 3. The cash reading unit44 reads a deposit amount from the currency thus put into it. The ATM.42 sends the ID and the deposit amount to the money reception unit 23and causes it to start up.

The money reception unit 23 firstly reads the balance 52 with regard tothe account ID 51 coincident with the received ID, from the accountstorage unit 22 (S50).

The money reception unit 23 adds the deposit amount to the balance 52(S51). That is, the money reception unit 23 adds the deposit amount tothe balance 52 and stores the resultant value into the account storageunit 22 as the balance 52 with regard to the account ID 51 coincidentwith the received ID.

The money reception unit 23 calculates a maximum limit amount bymultiplying an update threshold value by a predetermined value (S52).The update threshold value is, for example, the payment amount averageof 53 with regard to the account ID 51 coincident with the received ID.The money reception unit 23 compares the balance 52 calculated in S51with the maximum limit amount calculated in S52, and sends the smallerone as an update value of limit amount to the ATM 42 (S53).

The ATM 42 having received the update value of limit amount stores itinto the limit amount storage unit 32 of the IC card 3 by using thereader/writer 43.

Next, operation of the average calculation unit 24 will be described.The average calculation unit 24 is periodically caused to start up, forexample, and merges histories of payment amounts sent from respectiveones of the terminal devices 1. From the merged history, the averagecalculation unit 24 calculates, with respect to each ID, an average ofpayment amounts and stores it into the account storage unit 22 as thepayment amount 53 with regard to the account ID 51 coincident with theID.

The average calculation unit 24 may calculate either a simple average ofthe whole history or that of a recent history since a certain point oftime. The average calculation unit 24 may also calculate a weightedaverage by giving a larger weight to a recent history.

The settlement system 4 according to the present exemplary embodimentcan perform the on-line settlement and the off-line settlement byswitching between them, while reducing risk to the business side and notcausing a user making payment to be aware of the switching.

Specifically, for the purpose of speeding up the operation, for example,the settlement system 4 can set a reference of the switching between theon-line settlement and the off-line settlement without acquiring users'admission. Further, for the purpose of reducing risk of users' fallinginto settlement impossibility, for example, the settlement system 4 canset a different reference of the settlement switching for each userwithout acquiring users' admission.

It is because when a user attempts the on-line settlement, the user canuse the whole of the balance of his/her bank account regardless of alimit amount for the off-line settlement stored in the IC card 3.Specifically, it is because a value stored as the balance 52 in theaccount storage unit 22 is that of the balance of the bank account fromwhich the limit amount for the off-line settlement has not beensubtracted. As a result, a user of the settlement system 4 does not needto be aware of the existence of a limit amount for the off-linesettlement.

Further, the settlement system 4 according to the present exemplaryembodiment can reduce a user's load of manipulating the IC card 3 in theon-line settlement, and can quickly complete settlement for the usereven when it is performed on-line. It is because, in the on-linesettlement, a limit amount for the off-line settlement stored in the ICcard 3 is not updated if the limit amount remaining in the IC card 3 issufficient (the route for N at S34 in FIG. 5).

If a limit amount stored in the IC card 3 is to be updated in theon-line settlement, the user may be requested twice to hold the IC card3 over the reader/writer 16. The two requests are made at, respectively,a time of reading the limit amount (S11 in FIG. 3) and that of updatingit (S35 in FIG. 5). Alternatively, the user may be requested to keepholding the IC card 3 over the reader/writer 16 during the whole timefor the reading and update. In both of the cases, the user's load ofmanipulating the IC card 3 is increased. The settlement system 4according to the present exemplary embodiment reduces this load bydetermining a case with no necessity of updating a limit amount storedin the IC card 3.

Further, the settlement system 4 according to the present exemplaryembodiment can set an appropriate limit amount for the off-linesettlement based on a user's purchasing habit. It is because the serverprocessing unit 21 sets a value of predetermined times an average of theuser's payment amounts as the limit amount. As a result, while it can beexpected that a certain number of settlements are quickly performed bythe off-line settlement on average, a money amount processed by theoff-line settlement can be limited within the limit amount.

Further, the settlement system 4 according to the present exemplaryembodiment prevents the off-line settlement from keeping being performedin a state of lack of the balance 52. It is because the selection unit11 selects the on-line settlement if a predetermined time period haspassed since a last performed on-line settlement.

Modification of the First Exemplary Embodiment

The settlement system 4 according to the present exemplary embodimentcan be applied not only to payment with electronic money based on thebalance of a bank account, but also to another kind of settlement, forexample, payment with a credit card based on the credit balance.Further, the settlement system 4 can be used regardless of a cause ofpayment. A cause of payment may be payment of an equivalent money amountfor commercial goods or a service, and may also be money loaning, debtrepayment or simple money transfer.

The IC card 3 may be replaced by another recording medium, for example,a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. In that case, the reader/writer 16is replaced by a USB interface. The IC card 3 may also be replaced, notby a thing carried by a person, but by a recording medium which isinstalled on the exterior of a car or on a wheelchair and is used, forexample, for payment at a drive-through store.

The settlement system 4 may use, as a payment amount and the balance 52,values other than themselves but still enabling specifying them, forexample, values obtained by changing their signs to be negative. In thatcase, the calculations described in the first exemplary embodiment areappropriately modified. For example, the magnitude relationship incomparison is reversed.

The settlement system 4 may update a limit amount stored in the IC card3 each time of the on-line settlement, without comparing a limit amountat that time with an update threshold value.

The settlement system 4 may store the payment amount average 53, in amanner to correlate it with an ID, into a disk of another device or thelike, instead of storing it into the account storage unit 22 of theserver device 2. In that case, the account storage unit 22 does notnecessarily need to store the payment amount average 53.

The settlement system 4 may acquire a value equivalent to the paymentamount average 53 from another system. For example, the settlementsystem 4 may acquire such an equivalent value from a payment detailscreation system of a bank and the like. In that case, the firstsettlement unit 12 does not necessarily need to acquire a history ofpayment amounts. The terminal device 1 dries not necessarily need tocomprise the history storage unit 14. The server device 2 does notnecessarily need to comprise the average calculation unit 24. Theaccount storage unit 22 does not necessarily need to store the paymentamount average 53.

The settlement system 4 may set a maximum limit amount at a fixed value.This value is given to the server processing unit 21 and the moneyreception unit 23 by, for example, an administrator or the like of theserver device 2. In that case, the first settlement unit 12 does notnecessarily need to acquire a history of payment amounts. The terminaldevice 1 does not necessarily need to comprise the history storage unit14. The server device 2 does not necessarily need to comprise theaverage calculation unit 24. The account storage unit 22 does notnecessarily need to store the payment amount average 53.

The settlement system 4 does not necessarily need to comprise the ATM42, and the server device 2 does not necessarily need to comprise themoney reception unit 23. In that case, a process relevant to depositingmoney may be performed in a different system.

The settlement system 4 does not necessarily need to restrict a timeperiod during which the off-line settlement is permitted to be performedcontinually. In that case, the IC card 3 does not necessarily need tocomprise the date and time storage unit 33.

The settlement system 4 may have only a single user. In that case, theIC card 3 does not necessarily need to comprise the ID storage section31, and the account storage unit 22 does not necessarily need to storethe account ID 51.

The server device 2 does not necessarily need to comprise the accountstorage unit 22. The account storage unit 22 may be comprised in anotherdevice connected with the server device 2.

The account storage unit 22 may include a limit amount with regard tothe account ID 51. Then, the server processing unit 21 may subtract apayment amount from the balance 52 (S42 in FIG. 6) and also from thelimit amount stored in the account storage unit 22. In that case, thesituation becomes such that the server device 2 stores a copy of a limitamount stored in the IC card 3, and accordingly the second settlementunit of the terminal device 1 does not necessarily need to send thelimit amount to the server device 2 in the on-line settlement (S31 inFIG. 5).

The terminal device 1 may comprise the cash reading unit 44 and therebyperform a function relevant to depositing money into an account,replacing the ATM 42, in collaboration with the money reception unit 23.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a settlement system 4 according toa second exemplary embodiment. The settlement system 4 includes aterminal device 1 and a server device 2.

The terminal device 1 is equipped: a selection unit 11 which compares apayment amount with a set amount read from a recording medium, forexample, an IC card 3 and, depending on a result of the comparison,selects between off-line processing and on-line processing; an off-lineprocessing unit 12 which performs a process of subtracting the paymentamount from the set amount recorded in the recording medium and aprocess of sending the payment amount to the server device 2; and anon-line processing unit 13 which performs a process of sending thepayment amount to the server device 2, and when having received anupdate value, performs a process of updating the set amount.

The server device 2 is equipped a server processing unit 21 whichperforms a process of receiving the payment amount from the terminaldevice 1 and a process of subtracting the payment amount from thebalance of an account corresponding to the recording medium, and in acase of the on-line processing, performs a process of sending the updatevalue to the terminal device 1.

The settlement system 4 according to the present exemplary embodimentcan perform on-line settlement and off-line settlement by switchingbetween them, while reducing risk to the business side and not causing auser making payment to be aware of the switching.

Specifically, the settlement system 4 can set a reference of theswitching between on-line settlement and off-line settlement withoutacquiring a user's admission, for the purpose of speeding up theprocess, for example. Further, the settlement system 4 can set adifferent reference of the settlement switching for each user withoutacquiring the user's admission, for the purpose of reducing the user'srisk of falling into settlement impossibility, for example.

It is because, in performing the on-line settlement, a user can use thewhole of the balance of his/her bank account regardless of a limitamount for the off-line settlement stored in a portable-type recordingmedium. Specifically, it is because the limit amount is not subtractedfrom the balance of the bank account.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a server device 2 according to athird exemplary embodiment.

The server device 2 is connected to a terminal device which performs:off-line processing including a process of comparing a payment amountwith a set amount read from a recording medium, for example, an IC card3 and, depending on a result of the comparison, subtracting the paymentamount from the set amount recorded in the recording medium, and aprocess of sending the payment amount to the server device 2; or on-lineprocessing including a process of sending the payment amount to theserver device 2 and a process of updating the set amount when havingreceived an update value.

The server device 2 is equipped a server processing unit 21 whichperforms a process of receiving the payment amount from the terminaldevice and a process of subtracting the payment amount from the balanceof an account corresponding to the recording medium, and in a case ofthe on-line processing, performs a process of sending the update valueto the terminal device.

The server device 2 of the present exemplary embodiment exhibits thesame effect for the same reason as that of the settlement system 4 ofthe second exemplary embodiment.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a terminal device 1 according to afourth exemplary embodiment.

The terminal device 1 is equipped: a selection unit 11 which compares apayment amount with a set amount read from a recording medium, forexample, an IC card 3 and, depending on a result of the comparison,selects between off-line processing and online processing; an off-lineprocessing unit 12 which performs a process of subtracting the paymentamount from the set amount recorded in the recording medium and aprocess of sending the payment amount to a server device; and an on-lineprocessing unit 13 which performs a process of sending the paymentamount to the server device and, when having received an update value,performs a process of updating the set amount.

This terminal device 1 is connected to the server device which performsa process of receiving the payment amount and a process of subtractingthe payment amount from the balance of an account corresponding to therecording medium, and in a case of the on-line processing, performs aprocess of sending the update value.

The terminal device 1 of the present exemplary embodiment exhibits thesame effect for the same reason as that of the settlement system 4 ofthe second exemplary embodiment.

The present invention has been described above with reference to theexemplary embodiments, but it is not limited to the above-describedexemplary embodiments. To the configurations and details of the presentinvention, various changes and modifications which can be understood bythose skilled in the art may be made within the scope of the presentinvention.

Part or the whole of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments may alsobe described as the following supplementary notes, but are not limitedto them.

(supplementary note 1) A settlement system comprising:

a terminal device including:

selection means for comparing a payment amount with a set amount readfrom a recording medium and for selecting between off-line processingand on-line processing, depending on a result of the comparison;

off-line processing means for performing a process of subtracting thepayment amount from the set amount recorded in the recording medium anda process of sending the payment amount to a server device; and

on-line processing means for performing a process of sending the paymentamount to the server device and a process of updating the set amountwhen having received an update value;

and

a server device comprising server processing means for performing aprocess of receiving the payment amount from the terminal device and aprocess of subtracting the payment amount from a balance of an accountcorresponding to the recording medium, and for performing, in a case ofthe on-line processing, a process of sending the update value to theterminal device.

(supplementary note 2) The settlement system according to supplementarynote 1, wherein:

the on-line processing means does not update the set amount which therecording medium records if not receiving the update value, and

the server processing means does not send the update value if the setamount is larger than an update threshold value.

(supplementary note 3) The settlement system according to any one ofsupplementary notes 1 and 2, wherein

the server processing means sets a value of predetermined times anaverage of the payment amount subjected to the off-line processing asthe update value, and the average as the update threshold value.

(supplementary note 4) The settlement system according to any one ofsupplementary notes 1 to 3, wherein

the selection means further selects the on-line processing also if apredetermined time period has passed since the on-line processing wasperformed last.

(supplementary note 5) The settlement system according to any one ofsupplementary notes 1 to 4, wherein:

the settlement system further includes an ATM for reading a depositamount put into a cash reading means, sending the deposit amount to theserver device, and updating the set amount after receiving the updatevalue, and

the server device further is equipped a money reception means forreceiving the deposit amount from the ATM and then adding the depositamount to the balance, and for calculating the update value equal to orsmaller than the balance after the addition and then for sending thecalculated update value to the ATM.

(supplementary note 6) The settlement system according to any one ofsupplementary notes 1 to 4, wherein:

the terminal device comprises cash reading means, sends a deposit amountput into the cash reading means to the server device, and updates theset amount after receiving the update value, and

the server device further comprises money reception means for receivingthe deposit amount from the terminal device and then for adding thedeposit amount to the balance, and for calculating the update valueequal to or smaller than the balance after the addition and then forsending the calculated update value to the terminal device,

(supplementary note 7) The settlement system according to any one ofsupplementary notes 1 to 6, wherein:

the recording medium further stores an identifier,

the on-line processing means and the off-line processing means furthersend the identifier read from the recording medium to the server device,and

the server processing means subtracts the payment amount from thebalance of the account correlated to the identifier.

(supplementary note 8) A server device connected to a terminal device:

the terminal device performing:

a process of comparing a payment amount with a set amount read from arecording medium; and,

depending on a result of the comparison,

off-line processing including a process of subtracting the payment,amount from the set amount recorded in the recording medium and aprocess of sending the payment amount to the server device, or

on-line processing comprising a process of sending the payment amount tothe server device and a process of updating the set amount when havingreceived an update value; and

the server device comprising server processing means for performing aprocess of receiving the payment amount from the terminal device and aprocess of subtracting the payment amount from the balance of an accountcorresponding to the recording medium, and in a case of the on-lineprocessing, performing a process of sending the update value to theterminal device.

(supplementary note 9) The server device according to supplementary note8, wherein:

the terminal device does not update the set amount which the portabletype recording media records, in a case of the on-line processing, ifnot receiving the update value, and

the server processing means does not send the update value if the setamount is larger than the update threshold value.

(supplementary note 10) The server device according to any one ofsupplementary notes 8 and 9, wherein

the server processing means sets a value of predetermined times anaverage of the payment amount subjected to the off-line processing asthe update value, and the average as the update threshold value.

(supplementary note 11) A terminal device comprising:

selection means for comparing a payment amount with a set amount readfrom a recording medium and for selecting between off-line processingand on-line processing, depending on a result of the comparison;

off-line processing means for performing a process of subtracting thepayment amount from the set amount recorded in the recording medium anda process of sending the payment amount to a server device; and

on-line processing means for performing a process of sending the paymentamount to the server device and a process of updating the set amountwhen having received an update value,

wherein the terminal device connected to a server device which performsa process of receiving the payment amount and a process of subtractingthe payment amount from a balance of an account corresponding to therecording medium, and in a case of the on-line processing, performs aprocess of sending the update value.

(supplementary note 12) The terminal device according to supplementarynote 11, wherein:

the terminal device does not update the set amount which the portabletype recording medium records, in a case of the on-line processing, ifnot receiving the update value, and

the server processing means does not send the update value if the setamount is larger than the update threshold value.

(supplementary note 1) A method comprising:

performing a process of comparing a payment amount with a set amountread from a recording medium;

performing, depending on a result of the comparison,

an off-line processing including a process of subtracting the paymentamount from the set amount recorded in the recording medium and aprocess of sending the payment amount, or

an on-line processing including a process of sending the payment amountand a process of updating the set amount when having received an updatevalue; and

performing a process of receiving the payment amount, a process ofsubtracting the payment amount from a balance of an accountcorresponding to the recording medium and, in a case of the on-lineprocessing, a process of sending the update value.

(supplementary note 14) A method comprising:

connecting to a terminal device which performs:

a process of comparing a payment amount with a set amount read from arecording medium; and,

depending on a result of the comparison,

an off-line processing including a process of subtracting the paymentamount from the set amount recorded in the recording medium and aprocess of sending the payment amount to a server device, or

an on-line processing including a process of sending the payment amountto the server device and a process of updating the set amount whenhaving received an update value; and

performing a process of receiving the payment amount from the terminaldevice, a process of subtracting the payment amount from the balance ofan account corresponding to the recording medium and, in a case of theon-line processing, a process of sending the update value to theterminal device,

(supplementary note 15) The method according to supplementary note 14,wherein:

the connection is made to the terminal device which does not update theset amount recorded in the portable-type recording medium, in a case ofthe on-line processing, if not receiving the update value, and

the process of sending the update value is not performed if the setamount is larger than an update threshold value.

(supplementary note 16) The method according to any one of supplementarynotes 14 and 15, wherein

a value of predetermined times an average of the payment amountsubjected to the off-line processing is set as the update value, and theaverage is set as the update threshold value.

(supplementary note 17) A method comprising:

connecting to a server device which performs a process of receiving apayment amount, a process of subtracting the payment amount from abalance of an account corresponding to a recording medium and, in a caseof the on-line processing, a process of sending an update value;performing a process of comparing the payment amount with a set amountread from the recording medium; and

performing, depending on a result of the comparison,

off-line processing including a process of subtracting the paymentamount from the set amount recorded in the recording medium and aprocess of sending the payment amount to a server device, or

on-line processing including a process of sending the payment amount tothe server device and a process of updating the set amount when havingreceived an update value.

(supplementary note 18) The method according to supplementary note 18,wherein:

the connection is made to a server device which does not send the updatevalue if the set amount is larger than an update threshold value, and

the process of sending the set amount recorded in the recording mediumis not performed if not receiving the update value.

(supplementary note 19) A program for causing a computer connected to aterminal device, the terminal device performing:

a process of comparing a payment amount with a set amount read from arecording medium; and,

depending on a result of the comparison,

an off-line processing including a process of subtracting the paymentamount from the set amount recorded in the recording medium and aprocess of sending the payment amount to a server device or

an on-line processing including a process of sending the payment amountto the server device and a process of updating the set amount whenhaving received an update value,

to perform a process of receiving the payment amount from the terminaldevice, a process of subtracting the payment amount from the balance ofan account corresponding to the recording medium and, in a case of theon-line processing, a process of sending the update value to theterminal device.

(supplementary note 20) The program according to supplementary note 19,wherein:

the terminal device does not update the set amount recorded in theportable-type recording medium, in a case of the on-line processing, ifnot receiving the update value, and

the computer is not caused to perform the process of sending the updatevalue if the set amount is larger than an update threshold value.

(supplementary note 21) The program according to any one ofsupplementary notes 19 and 20, wherein

the computer is caused to set a value of predetermined times an averageof the payment amount subjected to the off-line processing as the updatevalue, and the average as the update threshold value.

(supplementary note 22) A program for causing a computer connected to aserver device, the server device performing:

a process of receiving a payment amount, a process of subtracting thepayment amount from a balance of an account corresponding to a recordingmedium and, in a case of on-line processing, a process of sending anupdate value,

to perform:

a selection process of comparing the payment amount with a set amountread from the recording medium and, depending on a result of thecomparison, selecting between off-line processing and the on-lineprocessing;

the off-line processing including a process of subtracting the paymentamount from the set amount recorded in the recording medium and aprocess of sending the payment amount to the server device; and

the on-line processing including a process of sending the payment amountto the server device and a process of updating the set amount whenhaving received the update value.

(supplementary note 23) The program according to supplementary note 22,wherein

a computer connected to the server device, the server device notperforming the process of sending the update value if the set amount islarger than an update threshold value, is not caused to perform theprocess of updating the set amount recorded in the recording medium ifnot receiving the update value.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   1 terminal device    -   2 server device    -   3 IC card    -   4 settlement system    -   11 selection unit    -   12 first settlement unit, off-line processing unit    -   13 second settlement unit, on-line processing unit    -   14 history storage unit    -   15 keyboard    -   16, 43 reader/writer    -   21 server processing unit    -   22 account storage unit    -   23 money reception unit    -   24 average calculation unit    -   31 ID storage unit    -   32 limit amount storage unit    -   33 date and time storage unit    -   41 network    -   42 ATM    -   44 cash reading unit    -   51 account ID    -   52 balance    -   53 payment amount average

1-23. (canceled)
 24. A server device connected to a terminal device, theserver device comprising: at least one memory storing programinstructions; and at least one processor configured to execute theprogram instructions to: receive, from the terminal device, a paymentamount associated with a recording medium; and send an update amount tothe terminal device when a limit amount in the recording medium isgreater than a balance of an account stored in the memory, wherein thebalance is calculated based on the payment amount and the update amountis equal to or smaller than the balance.
 25. The server device accordingto claim 24, wherein the update amount is equal to the balance.
 26. Theserver device according to claim 24, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to execute the program instructions to: update a balance ofan account corresponding to recording medium, by subtracting the paymentamount from the account; determine whether a limit amount stored in therecording medium is greater than the updated balance, the limit amountbeing an upper allowable limit for an off-line payment performed by thestorage medium; and in response to a determination that the limit amountis greater than the updated balance, send the update amount.
 27. Theserver device according to claim 25, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to execute the program instructions to; update a balance ofan account corresponding to recording medium, by subtracting the paymentamount from the account; determine whether a limit amount stored in therecording medium is greater than the updated balance, the limit amountbeing an upper allowable limit for an off-line payment performed by thestorage medium; and in response to a determination that the limit amountis greater than the updated balance, send the update amount.
 28. Theserver device according to claim 24, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to execute the program instructions to process a paymentbased on the received payment amount.
 29. The server device according toclaim 25, wherein the processor is further configured to execute theprogram instructions to process a payment based on the received paymentamount.
 30. The server device according to claim 26, wherein theprocessor is further configured to execute the program instructions toprocess a payment based on the received payment amount.
 31. The serverdevice according to claim 27, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to execute the program instructions to process a paymentbased on the received payment amount.
 32. A terminal device configuredto communicate with a sever device, the terminal device comprising: atleast one memory storing program instructions; and at least oneprocessor configured to execute the program instructions to: determinewhether a payment amount is greater than a limit amount stored in arecording medium; perform a payment process when the payment amount isequal to or less than the limit amount; send the payment amount and thelimit amount, when the payment amount is greater than the limit amount;receive an update amount from the server device, the update amount beingless than the limit amount; and set the limit amount to the updateamount.
 33. The terminal device according to claim 32, wherein theupdate amount is a balance being stored in the server device.
 34. Theterminal device according to claim 32, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to execute the program instructions to: assign the balance asan update amount; and set the limit amount to be the balance as thelimit amount of a next payment.
 35. The terminal device according toclaim 33, wherein the processor is further configured to execute theprogram instructions to: assign the balance as an update amount; and setthe limit amount to be the balance as the limit amount of a nextpayment.
 36. The terminal device according to claim 32, wherein theterminal device is a point of sales.
 37. A method performed by aterminal device in communication with a sever device, the methodcomprising: determining whether a payment amount is greater than a limitamount stored in a recording medium; performing a payment process whenthe payment amount is equal to or less than the limit amount; sendingthe payment amount and the limit amount, when the payment amount isgreater than the limit amount; receiving an update amount from theserver device, the update amount being less than the limit amount; andsetting the limit amount to the update amount.
 38. The method accordingto claim 37, wherein the update amount is a balance being stored in theserver device.
 39. The method according to claim 37, further comprising:assigning the balance as an update amount; and setting the limit amountto be the balance as the limit amount of a next payment.
 40. The methodaccording to claim 38, further comprising: assigning the balance as anupdate amount; and setting the limit amount to be the balance as thelimit amount of a next payment.
 41. The method according to claim 37,wherein the terminal device is a point of sales.